The island of
Iona, where the Irish missionary Columba settled in the 6th century, is widely
regarded as the cradle of Scottish Christianity. A Benedictine abbey was built
in the 13th to 15th centuries, later becoming a cathedral. It fell into ruin
after the Reformation, but in the late 19th century its hereditary owner,
George Douglas Campbell, 8th Duke of Argyll, sought to restore it. John Honeyman made proposals in 1891 which were not
implemented. In 1899 the Duke established a trust to carry out the restoration,
and between 1901 and 1904 the transepts, crossing and choir were
re-roofed.

Authorship: It is clear from the minutes of the
Iona Cathedral Trust that John Honeyman was personally responsible for the work
carried out in 1903–4. He had retired from the practice of Honeyman, Keppie & Mackintosh
by this date, but from August 1905, due to his failing eyesight, he was
dependent on his old staff to make working drawings for Iona under the
direction of John Keppie. There is no evidence that Mackintosh had any specific
involvement in this work.

Alternative names:
Iona Abbey, St Mary's
Cathedral, St Mary's
Abbey.

Cost from other sources: Work carried out under John Honeyman's direction
during the year to 31 December 1904: £1878 12s 6d 1

Notes:

'Mackintosh Architecture' led by The Hunterian, University of Glasgow, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council; with additional support from The Monument Trust, The Pilgrim Trust, and the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art; and collaborative input from Historic Scotland and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland.